The German Federal Government has firmly placed the promotion of sustainable consumption as a political priority by complying with the globally stipulated 2015 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and by adopting the 'National Programme for Sustainable Development'. To enable structural changes in economy and community, and thereby also in the everyday routine of citizens to move towards sustainability, all players must work in tandem with each other.
Through the Nationalen Programm für Nachhaltigen Konsum, concrete measures and activities are suggested on how sustainable consumption can be propagated and how it can serve as a guideline for people to shape their lifestyles. All relevant players are being taken into account in the implementation of the programme. A 'National Network for Sustainable Consumption' will help in promoting the implementation of the programme and strengthening the social commitment towards sustainable consumption. Practical exchange between all relevant players is especially encouraged in order to develop synergies for bringing about consumption patterns, lifestyles and markets, as well as to establish a reference for political processes at the global level.
The Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Building and Nuclear Safety (BMUB), Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL) and Federal Ministry of Justice and Consumer Protection (BMJV) are inviting ambassadors for and propagators of sustainable consumption in Germany to facilitate networking between them. The conference in Berlin on 23 March will help kick-start this.
